As the weather warms and rain subsides across New South Wales, a surprising call has gone out to Sydneysiders from the Australian Reptile Park (ARP): grab your gardening gloves and join the hunt for potentially deadly funnel-web spiders and their egg sacs. While it may seem an unusual request, the ARP stresses that public participation in safely catching these arachnids is vital to saving lives.
The Lifesaving Power of Funnel-Web Venom
Since 1981, the ARP has been the sole supplier of funnel-web spider venom used to produce the essential antivenom that has prevented any deaths from bites in the past four decades. However, with male funnel-webs emerging from their burrows to seek mates, a fresh supply of venom is urgently needed.
Approximately 150 spiders are required to make just one vial of antivenom. We need the public’s help to ensure we have enough venom to meet demand.
Emma Teni, Spider Keeper at Australian Reptile Park
A Community Effort
The park is encouraging residents to scan a QR code to learn how to safely capture funnel-webs and their egg sacs, which can contain up to 150 spiderlings. These young spiders, raised at the ARP, provide a robust supply of venom for antivenom production.
Nicole Webber, a bite survivor from Gosford, credits the ARP’s antivenom program with saving her life in 1994. “I started reacting with anaphylactic shock very quickly,” she recalls. “Four rounds of that magic potion is why I’m still here.” Another mother, Karen Wright, continues to collect spiders at her workplace to support the cause after her son Matthew survived a bite in 1995.
Spotting the Funnel-Web
Funnel-web spiders are found along the east coast and highlands of Australia, with the Sydney funnel-web considered the most dangerous. While they can’t jump, these spiders move quickly and make sudden lunges when striking. They also have a knack for survival, able to stay alive underwater for at least 30 hours.
Emma Teni advises residents to look for funnel-webs in cool, damp areas like gardens with dense foliage and rockeries. Inside homes, they often lurk in laundry rooms and garages. Key identifying features include:
- Glossy, dark body
- Closely grouped eyes
- Large, bulbous head and jaw
Safety First
While the ARP emphasizes that collecting funnel-webs can be safe when done properly, immediate first aid is crucial for any suspected bite. The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network recommends applying pressure and immobilizing the affected area to slow venom spread until antivenom can be administered.
As Sydneysiders cautiously scan their yards and homes this season, they’re not just facing their fears – they’re playing a vital role in a unique community effort to turn one of Australia’s deadliest creatures into a lifesaving resource. With each spider safely captured, the power to protect grows stronger.
